Spurs’ Leonard a late scratch from Rising Stars

ORLANDO, Fla. – It turns out Team Chuck will have to survive without both its Spurs.

Spurs rookie forward Kawhi Leonard was a late scratch in Friday’s BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game at the Amway Center, after suffering a strained right calf in a 114-99 victory at Denver the night before.

Leonard played just 2:05 of the first half against the Nuggets before being sidelined. His injury is not considered serious, and his skipping of the Rising Stars game was considered precautionary.

The Rising Stars team drafted by NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley, comprised of a mix of rookies and second-year players, will also be without Spurs center Tiago Splitter, who is also dealing with a strained calf. Splitter was replaced on Team Chuck by Utah forward Derrick Favors.